Device for monitoring the condition of a human being

ABSTRACT

A device for continuously monitoring one or more indicators relating to the health or comfort of a person  12  includes one or more sensing means for measuring a value of one or more desired indicators and a communicating means  13  communicating an alarm signal when the measured value is above or below a predetermined value or range of values range, wherein the device  10  is adapted to be attached to an item of clothing  14  of the person  12.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is an U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C.§371 based upon co-pending International Application No.PCT/ZA2004/00009 filed Aug. 4, 2004. Additionally, this U.S. nationalphase application claims the benefit of priority of co-pendingInternational Application No. PCT/ZA2004/00009 filed Aug. 4, 2004, SouthAfrican Application No. ZA 2003/0949 filed Aug. 4, 2003, South AfricanApplication No. ZA 2003/6138 filed Aug. 8, 2003, and South AfricanApplication No. ZA 2003/8285 filed Oct. 24, 2003. The entire disclosuresof the prior applications are incorporated herein by reference. Theinternational application was published in the English language on Feb.10, 2005 under Publication No. WO 2005/011491.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for monitoring one or more indicatorsrelating to the health or comfort of a human being and for communicatingthe sensed information to a caretaker of the human being.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Monitors for sensing the heart rate, breathing or other vital functionsof a hospitalized person are well known in the art. Devices for home usehave been developed to aid in the care of infants or elderly persons tomonitor breathing, heart rate, and the like. These devices are howeveroften too complicated to be operated by an unskilled person and/or causediscomfort to the person being monitored.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,012, a breathing monitor is disclosed fordetecting Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS) in infants caused by apnea,which monitor includes an enclosure that is attached to the torso of aninfant using a strap. The enclosure is supported by and isolated fromthe infant's torso by a fluid filled bladder coupler such that there isno direct contact between the enclosure and the torso of the infant. Amonitor including a piezoelectric element is connected to the fluidcoupler and a battery powered electronic circuit contained in theenclosure flashes an LED as the infant breathes and sounds and alarmshould the infant fail to exhale for a predetermined period of time. Anadjustable strap connector for the strap provides visual indication ofthe strap being correctly attached and a limited range of motion ispermissible between the strap and the enclosure when the infantbreathes.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,885 a hospital bed or mattress for infantsincluding a respiration monitor and alarm to detect apnea is disclosed.The infant's breathing causes slight displacements of portions of itsbody which in turn transmit dynamic recoil forces to the bed on whichthe infant is resting.

The monitors disclosed in the prior art suffer from a number ofdrawbacks. A most basic disadvantage of known monitors is that securingthe device to the body of an infant is a cumbersome task which does notencourage use of the device. Known devices are in addition uncomfortableto wear, easily become displaced in use and require a skilled user.

The inventor therefore believes that a need exists for a device formonitoring various indicators relating to the health or comfort of aninfant or grown person and for communicating information to a caretakerof the infant or grown person and which device overcomes at least someof the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a device for continuouslymonitoring one or more indicators relating to the health or comfort of aperson, the device including:

one or more sensing means for sensing and measuring a value of one ormore desired indicators; and

a communicating means for communicating an alarm signal when themeasured value is above or below a predetermined value or range ofvalues, wherein the device is adapted to be attached to an item ofclothing of the person.

The desired indicator may be selected from the group including:breathing, heartbeat, temperature, and humidity.

The sensing means may be located in a housing of the device.

The device may include a clip extending from the housing so that it isattachable to the waistband of an item of clothing worn by the personbeing monitored. In the case of an infant, the device may be attached toa waistband of a diaper worn by the infant. In the case of an adult, thedevice may be attached to a waistband of an undergarment worn by theadult.

The sensing means for sensing and measuring breathing of the person maybe in the form of a pressure transducer which in use is located betweenthe item of clothing and the skin of the person wearing the device. Thepressure transducer may measure pressure exerted on it by the liftingand falling of the skin of the breathing person. When the pressureexerted on the pressure transducer occurs in irregular intervals orceases for a predetermined period of time, this may activate thecommunicating means.

When the pressure transducer measures pressure that occurs in irregularintervals or ceases for a predetermined period of time, it may activatea stimulating means aimed at encouraging the person to breathe normallyeither prior to or simultaneously with activating the communicatingmeans. The stimulating means may be in the form of a conventionalvibrating mechanism that causes the housing of the device to vibrate.

The sensing means for sensing and measuring the breathing of a personmay be sufficiently sensitive to additionally sense the heartbeat of aperson. When an irregular heartbeat or a cessation in heartbeat issensed, this may activate the communicating means.

The device may include a further sensing means for sensing temperatureand which in use is located between the item of clothing and the skin ofthe person wearing the device. The temperature sensor may continuouslysense and measure temperature and may activate the communicating meansshould the measured temperature be below or above a predetermined valueor value range.

Additionally, a sensing means for sensing temperature and which is inuse located exterior the item of clothing of the person wearing thedevice, may be provided. The values measured by the two temperaturesensors may be compared continuously so as to calculate the rate of heatloss of the person wearing the device. When the rate of heat loss fallsbelow or rises above a predetermined value or range of values, this mayactivate the communicating means.

The device may include yet a further sensing means for sensing andmeasuring humidity and that is in use located between the item ofclothing and the skin of the person wearing the device. When the valueof the humidity rises above a certain predetermined value, this mayactivate the communicating means.

Additionally, a sensing means for sensing humidity and which is in uselocated exterior the item of clothing of the person wearing the device,may be provided. The values measured by the two humidity sensors may becompared continuously so as to be able to ascertain when the humiditylevel between the item of clothing and skin of the person rises above adesired value at which stage the communicating means may be activated.

The humidity sensor may be in the form of a conductivity sensor. As anincrease in humidity leads to an increase in conductivity, when theconductivity rises above a predetermined value, the communicating meansmay be activated.

The sensing and measuring of humidity is particularly useful when thedevice is used to monitor an infant, in that an increase in humidityindicates a soiled diaper which can then be changed timeously by acaretaker of the infant before any discomfort is caused.

The communicating means may include one or more of the following: anaudible alarm, a visual signal such as a flashing light, and a radiosignal transmitted to a suitable remotely located receiver.

The housing and clip may be manufactured from any suitable syntheticplastics material.

The device may include a power source in the form of, for example,batteries located in the housing.

The device may include an interface on the housing to permit setting ofthe various values or value ranges at which the communicating means isto be activated and for switching the device on and off. The housing maybe provided with a cover for covering the interface so as to inhibit thedevice from accidentally being turned off or reprogrammed during use.

The device may be provided with a data storage device for storing theinformation sensed by the sensing means. A user may retrieve the storeddata at any time for the purpose of analysis.

The invention extends to an item of clothing which includes a device asdescribed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a first isometric view of a device in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 shows a second isometric view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1 in use whenattached to the diaper of an infant;

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional side view an alternative embodiment of adevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional side view an alternative embodiment of adevice in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional side view an alternative embodiment of adevice in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described by way of the following non-limitingexamples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:—FIG. 1 shows a first isometric view of a device inaccordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a second isometricview of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of thedevice of FIG. 1 in use when attached to the diaper of an infant; andFIGS. 4,5, and 6 show cross sectioned side views showing details ofthree alternative constructions of a device in accordance with thepresent invention.

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a device forcontinuously monitoring one or more indicators relating to the health orcomfort of a person 12 in accordance with the present invention. In theembodiment shown the person 12 is an infant.

The device 10 includes one or more sensing means for sensing andmeasuring a value of one or more desired indicators and a communicatingmeans 13 communicating an alarm signal when the measured value is aboveor below a predetermined value or range of values, wherein the device 10is adapted to be attached to an item of clothing 14 of the person 12.

The desired indicator includes breathing, temperature, and humidity.

The sensing means is located in a housing 16 of the device 10. Thedevice 10 includes a clip 18 extending from the housing 16 so that it isattachable to the waistband 20 of an item of clothing 14 (in this case adiaper) worn by the person 12 being monitored.

The sensing means for sensing and measuring breathing of the person 12is in the form of a pressure transducer which in use is located betweenthe item of clothing 14 and the skin of the person 12 wearing the device10. The pressure transducer measures pressure exerted on it by thelifting and falling of the skin of the breathing person 12. When thepressure exerted on the pressure transducer occurs in irregularintervals or ceases for a predetermined period of time, this activatesthe communicating means 13.

When the pressure transducer measures pressure that occurs in irregularintervals or ceases for a predetermined period of time, it activates astimulating means aimed at encouraging the person 12 to breathe normallyeither prior to or simultaneously with activating the communicatingmeans 13. The stimulating means is in the form of a conventionalvibrating mechanism that causes the housing 16 of the device 10 tovibrate.

The device 10 includes a further sensing means for sensing temperatureand which in use is located between the item of clothing 14 and the skinof the person 12 wearing the device 10.

The temperature sensor continuously senses and measure temperature andactivates the communicating means 13 should the measured temperature bebelow or above a predetermined value or value range.

The device 10 includes yet a further sensing means for sensing andmeasuring humidity that is in use located between the item of clothing14 and the skin of the person 12 wearing the device 10. When the valueof the humidity rises above a certain predetermined value, thisactivates the communicating means 13.

The humidity sensor is in the form of a humidity sensor that measuresthe percentage humidity present in the air. The humidity sensor is anelectronic component. When the humidity rises above a predeterminedvalue, the communicating means 13 is activated.

The sensing and measuring of humidity is particularly useful when thedevice 10 is used according to the embodiment shown, in that an increasein humidity indicates a soiled diaper which can be changed timeously bya caretaker of the infant before any discomfort is caused as soon as thecommunication means 13 is activated.

The communicating means 13 includes an audible alarm 22 as well as aflashing light 24.

The housing 16 and clip 18 are manufactured from any suitable syntheticplastics material.

The device 10 includes a power source in the form of batteries locatedin the housing 16.

The device 10 includes an interface (not shown) on the housing 16 topermit setting of the various values or value ranges at which thecommunicating means 13 is to be activated and for switching the device10 on and off. The housing 16 is provided with a cover 26 for coveringthe interface so as to inhibit the device 10 from accidentally beingturned off or reprogrammed during use.

Referring now to FIG. 4:

The device 10 includes a housing 30 defining a chamber 31 for housingthe electronic circuitry of the device 10. The housing 30 ismanufactured from any suitable non-toxic, hypoallergenic, syntheticplastics material.

The device 10 includes a user interface panel 32 using known technologyin electrical communication with the electronic circuitry. Detail of theuser interface panel 32 (not shown) includes one or more push-buttonswitches (of the type typically used in membrane keypads) for enablingand disabling the device, or for changing the settings of the device.The interface panel 32 further accommodates one or more light-emittingdiodes, liquid crystal displays or other components for visualindications.

An electronic printed circuit board 33 is located in the housing 30.Various components, including a power source (typically a long-life orrechargeable battery) are affixed to the board 33. For safety reasonsthe housing 30 of the device 10 is permanently sealed to inhibit accessto the components housed therein. However, it could also be manufacturedin such a way that the user can gain access to the power source in orderto replace it.

A sound transducer 34 for generating an audible alarm, such as apiezo-electric element is also included in the housing 30. An opening 35in the housing 30 permits sound generated by the sound transducer 34 toescape from the chamber 31. Other methods of generating audible alarmsand transmitting them through the housing 30 are possible and need notinvolve an opening.

A suitable material 36 is used to affix piezo-electric element 37 to thedevice 10. The element 37 can also be used as a spacer to adapt thethickness of piezo-electric element 37 to the recess depth.Alternatively, the piezo-electric element 37 can also be glued directlyto the device 10.

The piezo-electric element 37 is in electrical communication with theelectronic circuitry of the device 10. Applying fluctuating pressure tosuch an element 37 generates a corresponding fluctuating electronicpotential that can be measured by the circuitry.

A suitable spacer 38 between piezo-electric element 37 and an outermembrane can be incorporated.

Slot 39 is configured and dimensioned to accommodate a the top edge of adiaper, allowing the sensor to rest against the body of an infant inorder to measure changes in pressure associated with, for example,breathing. Once fitted, a typical disposable diaper's “waistband”section creates a supple but snug structure around the infant's torso.As the infant breathes its abdomen will press more and less forcefullyagainst this waistband section of the diaper, in unison with itsbreathing effort. Because the device 10 is secured to this waistbandsection, fluctuations of the pressure exerted by the infant's abdomenwill cause fluctuations of pressure against the portion of the device 10that is located on the inside of the diaper.

An outer flexible membrane 40 is manufactured from a suitable materialsuch as polyester or polycarbon. Pressure applied to this membrane 40 istransmitted through 38 (if present) to 37, allowing measurement of suchpressure by the device 10.

Cavity 41 accommodates a sensor assembly. Cavity 41 is smaller in areathan outer membrane 40, to permit an overlap 42. Outer membrane 40 isaffixed to this flange by suitable means such as waterproof glue, topreventing ingress of moisture into the device 10.

Motor 43 includes and offset weight attached to spindle, commonly usedfor “silent ring” of cellular telephones. The offset weight causes avibration when the motor 43 is energized, said vibration beingtransferred to the housing 30 of the device. This vibration is used toprovide tactile stimulation to the skin of the infant under situationsdeemed necessary. Other means of causing tactile stimulation may beused.

Referring now to FIG. 5:

In FIG. 5, reference numerals 50 to 55,59 and 63 represent the sameelements as reference numerals 30 to 35,39 and 43 in FIG. 4 and willtherefore not be described further.

A suitable substrate 56 for a sensor is provided and is typically amembrane as used in flexible electronic circuitry, i.e. polyester orpolycarbonate, suitably affixed to the device 10.

A deposit of suitable electrically resistive material 57 such asgraphite paint, typically used in electronic component manufacturing, isin electrical communication with the circuitry of the device 10. Adeposit 58 of suitable electrically conductive material such asconductive silver paint, typically used in electronic componentmanufacturing, is located on element 60. The deposit 58 is of a suitablesize and shape corresponding to and aligned with that of deposit 57 overan area preferably stretching from the center of cavity 61 towards theedges of said cavity 61.

A flexible membrane 60, typically polyester, polycarbonate or similar asused in flexible electronic circuit manufacturing, and preferablyhypoallergenic to prevent contact dermatitis covers deposits 57 and 58.

Pressure exerted on the membrane 60 will cause it to flex towardsmembrane 56. If sufficient pressure is applied, the two membranes 56 and60 will make contact. With even more pressure, the contact area betweenthe two membranes 56 and 60 will become larger. The electricalresistance of 57 can be measured. Forcing the two membranes 56 and 60together will allow deposit 58 to make contact with 57. Because deposit58 has a lower resistance than deposit 57, changing the contact areabetween deposits 57 and 58 will cause the measured resistance of deposit57 to change accordingly, decreasing as more of deposit 58 makes contactwith it and increasing as less of deposit 58 comes into contact with it.In practice a slight bulge (not shown) introduced below deposit 57 willcause it to remain in contact with deposit 58, allowing very slightpressures on deposit 58 to be measured.

Spacer 62 between flexible membranes 56 and 60 creates a cavity ofsuitable dimensions. Spacer 62 can be coated with adhesive on both sidesto allow easy assembly of the sensor as a unit, and can be made of thesame materials used for membranes 57 and 60.

Referring now to FIG. 6:

A more complicated device 10 can be made by manufacturing a cavity 65opposite the sensor, on the inside of the “clip” section. A thirdmembrane 66 can then be affixed to that side so that it completelycovers the cavity 65. A port 64 can also be made through the clip sothat it connects the cavity between this membrane with the area behindmembrane 57. If the port and cavity so described are then filled withfluid (and provided that portion of membrane 56 that is locatedunderneath the graphite deposit is not permanently affixed to thehousing 30 of the device 10), pressure exerted by the waistband of thediaper on membrane 66 will be transferred through the membrane by thefluid to the underside of membrane 57, pressing 57 towards 60 andallowing pressure from both sides of the clip to be measured. Such asensor is expected to be more sensitive than those disclosed in theembodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5.

It is to be appreciated, that the invention is not limited to anyspecific embodiment or configuration as hereinbefore generally describedor illustrated.

1. A health monitoring device for continuously monitoring one or moreindicators relating to the health or comfort of a person, said healthmonitoring device comprising: at least one sensing means for sensing andmeasuring a value of one or more desired indicators; and a communicatingmeans for communicating an alarm signal when said measured value isabove or below a predetermined value or range of values, wherein saidhealth monitoring device is adapted to be attached to an item ofclothing of the person.
 2. The health monitoring device as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said desired indicator is selected from the groupconsisting of breathing, heartbeat, temperature, and humidity.
 3. Thehealth monitoring device as set forth in claim 2 further comprising ahousing and a clip extending from said housing so that it is attachableto a waistband of an item of clothing worn by the person beingmonitored.
 4. The health monitoring device as set forth in claim 3,wherein said item of clothing is selected from the group consisting of aconventional diaper, and a conventional garment.
 5. The healthmonitoring device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said breathingsensing and measuring means is a pressure transducer positionablebetween the item of clothing and the skin of the person wearing saidhealth monitoring device, said pressure transducer is adapted to measurethe pressure exerted on it by the lifting and falling of the skin of thebreathing person and activates said communicating means when thepressure exerted on said pressure transducer occurs in irregularintervals or ceases for a predetermined period of time.
 6. The healthmonitoring device as set forth in claim 5 further comprising astimulating means activated by said pressure transducer, saidstimulating means being adapted to encourage the person to breathenormally prior to or simultaneously with the activating of saidcommunicating means, wherein said stimulating means is a vibratingmechanism.
 7. The health monitoring device as set forth in claim 6,wherein said breathing sensing means is sufficiently sensitive toadditionally sense the heartbeat of the person and wherein an irregularheartbeat or a cessation in heartbeat is sensed, said communicatingmeans is activated.
 8. The health monitoring device as set forth inclaim 3 further comprising a temperature sensing and measuring means andwhich in use is positionable between the item of clothing and the skinof the person wearing said health monitoring device, and wherein saidtemperature sensing means continuously senses and measures temperatureand activates said communicating means should the measured temperaturebe below or above a predetermined value or value range.
 9. The healthmonitoring device as set forth in claim 8 further comprising anadditional temperature sensing and measuring means which is positionableexterior the item of clothing of the person wearing said healthmonitoring device, wherein said values measured be said two temperaturesensors is compared continuously so as to calculate the rate of heatloss of the person wearing said health monitoring device, wherein whensaid rate of heat loss falls below or rises above a predetermined valueor value range, said communicating means is activated.
 10. The healthmonitoring device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said clip furthercomprising a humidity sensing and measuring means positionable betweenthe item of clothing and the skin of the person wearing said healthmonitoring device, wherein when said measured humidity value rises abovea certain predetermined value, said communicating means is activated.11. The health monitoring device as set forth in claim 10 furthercomprising an additional humidity sensing and measuring meanspositionable exterior the item of clothing of the person wearing saidhealth monitoring device, wherein the values measured by said bothhumidity sensors are compared continuously so as to be able to ascertainwhen the humidity level between the item of clothing and the skin of theperson rises above a desired value at which stage said communicatingmeans is activated.
 12. The health monitoring device as set forth inclaim 11, wherein said humidity sensors are conductivity sensors. 13.The health monitoring device as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidcommunicating means is selected from the group consisting of an audiblealarm, a visual signal, a flashing light, and a radio signal transmittedto a remotely located receiver.
 14. A health monitoring devicecomprising: a housing; at least one sensing means for sensing andmeasuring a value of one or more desired indicators selected from thegroup consisting of breathing, heartbeat, temperature, and humidity; acommunicating means for communicating an alarm signal when said measuredvalue is above or below a predetermined value or range of values,wherein said health monitoring device is adapted to be attached to anitem of clothing of a person; a clip extending from said housing adaptedto be attachable to a waistband of the item of clothing worn by theperson being monitored; a pressure transducer positionable between theitem of clothing and the skin of the person wearing said healthmonitoring device, said pressure transducer is adapted to measure thepressure exerted on it by the lifting and falling of the skin of thebreathing person and activates said communicating means when thepressure exerted on said pressure transducer occurs in irregularintervals or ceases for a predetermined period of time; a temperaturesensing and measuring means positionable between the item of clothingand the skin of the person wearing said health monitoring device, andwherein said temperature sensing means continuously senses and measurestemperature and activates said communicating means should the measuredtemperature be below or above a predetermined value; a humidity sensingand measuring means positionable between the item of clothing and theskin of the person wearing said health monitoring device, wherein whensaid measured humidity value rises above a certain predetermined value,said communicating means is activated; and a stimulating means activatedby said pressure transducer, said stimulating means being adapted toencourage the person to breathe normally prior to or simultaneously withthe activating of said communicating means.
 15. The health monitoringdevice as set forth in claim 14 further comprising an additionaltemperature sensing and measuring means which is positionable exteriorthe item of clothing of the person wearing said health monitoringdevice, wherein said values measured be said two temperature sensors iscompared continuously so as to calculate the rate of heat loss of theperson wearing said health monitoring device, wherein when said rate ofheat loss falls below or rises above a predetermined value or valuerange, said communicating means is activated.
 16. The health monitoringdevice as set forth in claim 15 further comprising an additionalhumidity sensing and measuring means positionable exterior the item ofclothing of the person wearing said health monitoring device, whereinthe values measured by said both humidity sensors are comparedcontinuously so as to be able to ascertain when the humidity levelbetween the item of clothing and the skin of the person rises above adesired value at which stage said communicating means is activated. 17.The health monitoring device as set forth in claim 16, wherein saidpressure transducer, said temperature sensor, said additionaltemperature sensor, said humidity sensor, and said additional humiditysensor being positionable in said clip.
 18. A health monitoring devicecomprising: a housing; at least one sensing means for sensing andmeasuring a value of one or more desired indicators selected from thegroup consisting of breathing, heartbeat, temperature, and humidity; acommunicating means for communicating an alarm signal when said measuredvalue is above or below a predetermined value or range of values,wherein said health monitoring device is adapted to be attached to anitem of clothing of a person; a clip extending from said housing adaptedto be attachable to a waistband of the item of clothing worn by theperson being monitored; a pressure transducer positionable is said clip,said pressure transducer is adapted to measure the pressure exerted onit by the lifting and falling of the skin of the breathing person andactivates said communicating means when the pressure exerted on saidpressure transducer occurs in irregular intervals or ceases for apredetermined period of time, wherein said pressure transducer issufficiently sensitive to additionally sense the heartbeat of the personand wherein an irregular heartbeat or a cessation in heartbeat issensed, said communicating means is activated; a temperature sensing andmeasuring means positionable in said clip, and wherein said temperaturesensing means continuously senses and measures temperature and activatessaid communicating means should the measured temperature be below orabove a predetermined value; an additional temperature sensing andmeasuring means which is positionable exterior the item of clothing ofthe person wearing said health monitoring device, wherein said valuesmeasured be said two temperature sensors is compared continuously so asto calculate the rate of heat loss of the person wearing said healthmonitoring device, wherein when said rate of heat loss falls below orrises above a predetermined value or value range, said communicatingmeans is activated; a humidity sensing and measuring means positionablein said clip, wherein when said measured humidity value rises above acertain predetermined value, said communicating means is activated; anadditional humidity sensing and measuring means positionable exteriorthe item of clothing of the person wearing said health monitoringdevice, wherein the values measured by said both humidity sensors arecompared continuously so as to be able to ascertain when the humiditylevel between the item of clothing and the skin of the person risesabove a desired value at which stage said communicating means isactivated; and a stimulating means activated by said pressuretransducer, said stimulating means being adapted to encourage the personto breathe normally prior to or simultaneously with the activating ofsaid communicating means.
 19. The health monitoring device as set forthin claim 18 further comprising an outer flexible membrane fortransmitting pressure applied to said membrane to said pressuretransducer.
 20. The health monitoring device as set forth in claim 18further comprising a cavity defined in said clip, an additional membraneattached to said clip covering said cavity, a port defined through saidclip connecting said cavity between said membrane with an area behindsaid membrane, wherein said cavity and said port is filled with a fluidfor transferring pressure exerted by the waistband of the item ofclothing on said additional membrane to said outer flexible membrane,thereby allowing pressure form both sides of said clip to me measured.